Chapter 22
Hendrix helped me wrap my palms in a dark gauze that looks more like a fashion statement than a bandage which I’m grateful for, so I don’t have to explain what happened to anyone.
I saw him texting a few minutes ago and I hope it wasn’t Dash on the other end. I don’t think he could’ve snuck into my house while I was sleeping with Hendrix posted outside. But at this point anything is possible.
My heart is still screaming in my chest that he couldn’t have had any part of this.
In my mind, I have doubts; still I know what I saw that night.
But even with most of my memories back, there are so many missing pieces.
And I feel it deep in my bones, I’ve forgotten or overlooked something crucial.
Is my stalker a crazed fan? Someone in the racing circuit? Another racer? An ex? Someone pretending to be a friend? Or is it someone even closer to me?
Did I do something to attract this type of…attention? I scratch the idea because I can’t control how other people act and no one does anything to deserve being stalked. But in my head, I need this to make sense. I need an answer even if there isn’t one.
I grab my GTO keys and head for my garage. “I’m going to go to Tyler Motorsports.”
Hendrix glances up from where he’d been sitting on my couch looking at his phone. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? What about this mystery stalker?”
“The longer I hide, the more time he has to strike again. I don’t plan on letting it happen,” I say.
“So what? You’re telling the world Lennon Tyler is back, then?” he asks as he stands and closes the distance between us.
I shake my head. “No. I can’t do that yet. Everyone needs to believe I’m London for now.”
Something in his gaze flickers at the mention of her name. “If you’re at the garage surrounded by your team and your car, won’t your identity start to shine through? It seems like you’re taking a big risk by being there. Unless…” He falls silent as he thinks.
I blink a few times giving nothing away.
“Unless you’re trying to draw him out by making it look like London is stepping into your shoes,” he finishes once it clicks.
I lift my chin as I stare at him preparing for him to protest.
“Lennon. It could be really dangerous. I don’t know about this.”
“Doing nothing could be just as dangerous, Hendrix. I can’t sit around waiting for the other shoe to drop. This nightmare needs to end…for all of us. And if I don’t do something, he’ll keep drawing out his cruel taunts.”
Hendrix’s brows knit together. “What taunts, Lennon?”
I’ve said too much. The note was nothing more than scraps on the floor when he walked in on me this morning in the bathroom. And I’ve told no one about the texts I get.
My nostrils flare as I prepare to lie. It’s a tell London and I both had.
“Nothing. It’s just torture knowing he’s out there. There is one way London and I were opposites.”
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“That’s easy. London was always reserved and safe.
I’m competitive and driven. I need to win.
This isn’t just another race for prizes and earning titles.
This is something I need to win in order to take my life back.
I need to be the one holding the steering wheel when this is all said and done.
He might end up taking me down, but you can bet your ass I’ll go down on my own terms and it’ll be taking him down with me. ”
“Lennon. No one is going down but him. Do you hear me?” he asks as he takes my face in his hands.
I reach up and wrap my fingers around his arms. “I can’t tell you it won’t happen, Hendrix. Because I’ll do whatever it takes to make him pay for what he’s done. I hope to still be standing in the aftermath, but I can’t promise you that I will.”
His gaze searches mine until he draws me closer. His lips are so close to mine, I can feel his breath against them. “I won’t lose you. So, there is no way in hell you’ll be fighting this alone.”
“I guess you better get ready to ride shotgun, then, Doc.”
He cracks a grin at my nickname for him and shakes his head before releasing me.
When I park my car, I stare up at Tyler Motorsports before getting out. Hendrix squeezes my hand. “I got you, Lennon.”
I silently squeeze his fingers back before facing the music of this crazy tactic to draw out a dangerous stalker from whatever pit of hell he sprung from.
Taking a deep breath, I put one foot in front of the other as I notice Dad’s truck in the lot.
I know he won’t be expecting me to be here, and I hope he can keep my secret when seeing me for the first time in front of other people since learning the bittersweet truth.
People tend to say more than what they can vocalize with the emotions that play out on their faces than what they mean to.
I know he wouldn’t intentionally out me, but this is not a normal secret.
Is bittersweet even the right term for this situation? I’m sure there are other words, but even with the complexity of the emotions we’re going through, it’s the only term I can say out loud which even scrapes the tip of this tumultuous iceberg.
I enter the lobby with Hendrix trailing not very far behind.
The picture of me and London greets me from its usual spot just as it always has.
The last time I studied it, I wasn’t sure which twin was me.
Now I know. The weight of knowing is so heavy, I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to stand on my own.
So much can change in the span of a single heartbeat. I’m living proof of it.
I turn and see my dad standing in his office watching me intently through the open door as if the angels hand-picked me from heaven.
I deserve no such reverence. Before I can think too much about it, I put my finger to my lips quickly, signaling him to stay quiet.
He gives the slightest nod as he crosses his arms over his chest while never taking his gaze off me, almost as if I’ll disappear if he looks away.
I wander back out into the garage, studying all the vehicles in the bays.
I mentally take note of everyone and everything onsite, but nothing seems out of place.
And why would it? I may be barking up the wrong tree by starting here.
But all this mess began with me and it will end with me if it’s the last thing I do.
When I reach my race car, emotions flood my mind, and I have to blink several times to keep the tears from falling.
“London. What a surprise. Has the need for speed started flowing through your veins too?”
I spin around to find Dillan standing there before shifting my gaze to Hendrix where he stands a few bays over talking to Dad. They’re both watching me.
“What can I say? My sister and I are like the same person.”
He smiles while wiping his hands on a cloth before stuffing it in the pocket of his coveralls.
“Is that guy your boyfriend?” he asks motioning with a nod of his head toward Hendrix.
I glance at him and Dad again. “Yep. That’s him,” I answer with a smile knowing it’s not true, but to the world it is.
“There for a while we thought you had a thing going with Dash. You don’t, do you?” he asks sporting a crooked grin with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“We?”
“Well, everyone here at Tyler Motorsports. We have eyes.” He waves his arm gesturing to the entire garage.
I smile back at him as my nostrils flare while tucking my hands in my jacket pockets. “There’s more than one view of everything we see. Sometimes, another view tells an entirely different story. Maybe you were looking from the wrong direction.”
He laughs. “Hmm. Maybe.” He steps a little closer and leans in so only I can hear his words. “But sometimes a rose is just a rose.”
When he straightens again, he winks at me before Jackson and Troy join us.
“Is this guy bothering you, princess?” Jackson asks with an amused smile on his face. Troy simply chuckles.
Dillan holds his hands up. “I can’t talk to a beautiful woman without being a jerk?” he asks as he laughs.
“We’re just messing with ya. What’s up, London? That was some pretty wicked driving last night the way you handled Jackson’s car. You thinking about stepping into Lennon’s shoes?” Troy asks.
Jackson just smiles as he waits on my answer. He’s always been a good friend to me and to our family. He’s the same age as me and London and has always just been there. He’s a damn good racer too. It’s why he’s on the Tyler racing team.
And to hear Troy ask about London possibly taking over for Lennon is surprising.
I’ve always liked him, but he’d much rather be working with Jackson than me.
And Dillan, it’s not that he hasn’t sort of hit on me before, but this feels different.
Maybe just because he thinks I’m London.
He knew he didn’t stand a chance with the real me.
“Racing was Lennon’s thing, but you never know. I’ll keep her alive any way I can, and if it means taking on a few races, I will. I guess I spoiled one of our best-kept secrets by showing everyone what I can do,” I say honestly. I do need to be careful how much of my true self I show right now.
“You should race here one night on the practice track. You know, it would be simple. Me or Dillan would be happy to race you,” Troy says.
I quirk a brow and turn my attention to Jackson who still just stands there with a cocky grin on his handsome face.
I’d love to show up and show out for these guys like I used to.
Jackson is the best racer here besides me, but the guys think I can’t beat him because I’m not Lennon.
I groan inwardly as the competitive streak in me flickers beneath the surface threatening to spread through my veins.
“How nice of you. Maybe I’ll take you up on that. And maybe I’ll get the chance to take on Jackson too,” I say casually.
The guys glance at each other and their eyes widen, but Jackson keeps his gaze level on mine with his chin held high sizing me up.
“Princess, we wouldn’t want your feelings to get hurt by racing him,” Dillan says.
I laugh at the absurdity of this. I’m Lennon Shay Tyler and I can blow the doors off any of these guys with the flick of my wrist.
I step into Dillan and push my finger into his chest. “I’m nobody’s princess and I’ll race who and when I want to,” I say before stepping back.
Jackson and Troy shake their heads and laugh.
I hear footsteps echoing through the garage and I know without looking, Dad and Hendrix are coming to intervene before I give myself away. Hendrix may not understand how competitive I am, but Dad does.
“Seems to me you are. Here comes Daddy and your boyfriend to the rescue,” Dillan says as he winks at me before walking away.
Troy shakes his head at Dillan. “He’s been a little off the last few weeks. Sorry about that. You’re welcome to race any of us anytime. Just call.” Then he walks in the direction Dillan went.
Jackson still stands there smiling, but it’s lost its cocky appearance. It just seems kind.
I smile back. “What?”
“I can’t figure you out. No matter how long we’ve all known each other, you and your sister never cease to surprise me. Troy’s right though. Call anytime and we can race or just hang out. We were all friends,” he says as he gently bumps into my shoulder.
“I know, Jackson. Thanks. I mean it,” I say with a smile.